CATO eyes future with new VP hire

WASHINGTON: The libertarian CATO Institute has found its new VP of communications from the ranks of the downsized. Richard Pollock, a onetime acolyte of Ralph Nader who is now suitably libertarian, has promised to match what he considers to be CATO's forward-thinking policy ideas with a similarly advanced communications program.

WASHINGTON: The libertarian CATO Institute has found its new VP of communications from the ranks of the downsized. Richard Pollock, a onetime acolyte of Ralph Nader who is now suitably libertarian, has promised to match what he considers to be CATO's forward-thinking policy ideas with a similarly advanced communications program.

WASHINGTON: The libertarian CATO Institute has found its new VP of communications from the ranks of the downsized. Richard Pollock, a onetime acolyte of Ralph Nader who is now suitably libertarian, has promised to match what he considers to be CATO's forward-thinking policy ideas with a similarly advanced communications program.

Pollock declined to outline the still unfolding communications plan.

But he said more emphasis will be placed on the Internet and high technology 'to reach people hungry for information.'

He quickly signed up Valerie Walston, formerly assistant press secretary at the Republican National Committee, to pump up media relations.

Pollock made clear his desire to be more aggressive in using communications to help CATO seize credit on issues such as Social Security privatization and school choice.

CATO has made a name for itself in Washington over the past two decades by promoting libertarian policies that cut against the orthodoxies of conventional conservatives and liberals. As Pollock noted, CATO can find itself working with the American Civil Liberties Union on anti-censorship issues, conservative social activists on school choice, and the National Federation of Independent Business on opposing government regulations.